288 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



phosphoric acid in coarse medium bones ; potash at four 

 and one-quarter (4|) cents, its cost in the form of muriate 

 of potash ; higher valuations have been adopted only when 

 special forms are guaranteed in the statement of the manu- 

 facturers, and found by analysis. 



The use of the highest trade values is but justice to those 

 articles in which the costliest materials are used. In most 

 cases the calculated value of ammoniated superphosphates 

 and special manures, falls considerably below their retail 

 price. The difference between the two represents the man- 

 ufacturer's claim for expenses incurred in converting raw 

 materials into manufactured compound articles. 



These expenses include grinding and mixing, bagging and 

 barrelling, storage and transportation, commission to agents 

 and dealers, long credits, interest on investment, bad debts, 

 and finally profits. 



The prices used in computing the value of the commercial 

 fertilizers described in the subsequent report (1884) were 

 approved by the officers in charge of the inspection of these 

 articles in the States of Massachusetts, Connecticut and New 

 Jersey, at their annual meeting. 



The valuation attached to each analysis does not necessa- 

 rily coincide with the manufacturer's view regarding that 

 point ; it shall essentially aid in a closer approximation of 

 the money value of the constituents recognized l)y analysis. 

 The cost of each is based on its market price in an efficient 

 form, and may serve as a guide to farmers in supplying 

 economically their wants. 



Moisture in Fei'tilizers. — The quantity of moisture con- 

 tained in a compound fertilizer exerts a controlling influence 

 on the results of its analysis ; and yet, comparatively speak- 

 ing, but few manufacturers mention in their printed guaranty 

 the approximate amount of that constituent in their articles 

 upon which their guaranteed composition is based. 



An article, for instance, which, with 10 per cent, of moist- 

 ure analyzes 10 per cent, of soluble phosphoric acid, 2.5 per 

 cent, of nitrogen, and 5 per cent, of potassium oxide, Avill 

 analyze 9 per cent, of phosphoric acid, 2.25 per cent, of 

 nitrogen, and 4.5 per cent, of potassium oxide, in case of 

 containing 10 per cent, of moisture. 



